Prime Minister Edi Rama said tourism and foreign investments currently bring €8.5 billion into Albania’s economy.
Speaking at an event promoting the national program “Double Your Business,” Rama highlighted the growth of tourism and its impact on economic development.
According to him, tourists now fill the streets of Tirana in unprecedented numbers. However, he noted that June marked the first month in five years when growth stalled rather than accelerated.
“Tourism grew by 26% through the end of May compared to last year. In June, however, growth reached only 1%, and we recorded many reservation cancellations,” Rama said.
At the same time, he rejected claims that Albania has become a hub for money laundering. He argued that the country would not continue advancing in its European Union accession process if such allegations were true.
“Had those claims been valid, the EU would have halted the accession process and international institutions would have immediately targeted Albania,” Rama stated.
Turning to the fight against corruption, Rama stressed that the main change lies in the system itself rather than in individual actors.
He said Albania’s institutions have created new mechanisms to combat corruption, while the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) operates as an integral part of that system.
As a result, authorities now target corruption, organized crime, trafficking networks, and criminal groups more effectively and transparently than in the past.
Furthermore, Rama said the euro has not weakened. Instead, he argued that the Albanian lek has strengthened because the economy has become stronger and more diversified.
He also pointed to the rapid growth of air transport. According to Rama, Tirana International Airport has become the largest airport in the region, surpassing other major airports in the Balkans.
“These are resources flowing into the economy, and they strengthen the Albanian lek,” Rama said.
Overall, Rama linked the strengthening of the national currency to rising tourism revenues, growing foreign investment, and increased economic activity across the country.
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